ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Denver Broncos are preparing for the 2025 season with linebacker Dre Greenlaw as a pivotal addition to their defense. Acquired through free agency earlier this year, Greenlaw has impressed Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who values the tough, physical play Greenlaw brings. Payton believes that Greenlaw is one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s most expressive players once the games are played in full pads, a factor that influenced the Broncos’ pursuit of him.
Greenlaw joins a Broncos defense that finished the 2024 season as one of the league’s most formidable units, leading the NFL with a franchise-record 63 sacks and ranking third in scoring defense. They also topped defensive EPA, a key measure of defensive efficiency, by a wide margin.
Addressing Midseason Vulnerabilities in the Broncos’ Defense
Despite their overall strength, the Broncos faced challenges in the middle of their defense during the latter part of the 2024 season, particularly from November to January. Opposing quarterbacks exploited this area with notable success: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson completed nearly all his passes with three touchdowns, Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards including four touchdowns, and Joe Burrow amassed 412 yards and three touchdowns. The Buffalo Bills also rushed for 129 yards in the first half of their wild-card playoff victory against Denver, underscoring the need for reinforcement in the defensive interior.
Greenlaw as the Focal Point of Denver’s Defensive Overhaul
Dre Greenlaw, who spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, is central to the Broncos’ defensive refresh. Alongside Greenlaw, the team also signed former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga and drafted first-round cornerback Jahdae Barron, signaling a strategic effort to bolster all three defensive levels.
General Manager George Paton explained the team‘s approach:
“We just thought … we had a really good defense last year, [but] you’re always thinking how can we take it to the next level?”
Paton added,
“And Sean has talked about, that’s why it was important for us to strength at all three levels — Greenlaw, Hufanga down the middle of the defense, just build on a strength when you have them.”
Training Camp Performance and Greenlaw’s Impact
Though Greenlaw missed the offseason program’s drills and 11-on-11 sessions due to a thigh injury, he has been a noticeable presence during the first two weeks of training camp. Coach Payton indicated that Greenlaw, like other injured players in camp, will be managed carefully with a form of pitch count to ensure readiness for the regular season.
In his first media interaction since signing with Denver, Greenlaw expressed his passion:
“I just like to play football, … You never know when it’s going to be your last chance on the field, your last chance to play, so you want to make a statement anytime you can.”
Partnership with Alex Singleton in the Broncos’ Linebacking Core
Greenlaw is set to play alongside linebacker Alex Singleton, who led the team in tackles in 2022 and 2023 before suffering an ACL injury in Week 4 last season. Greenlaw matches Singleton’s activity and physicality, often forcing plays at the line of scrimmage.
Payton praised Greenlaw’s playing style:
“He plays the position in such a way where you can’t help but notice it on film,”
Payton said.
“His pad level, his strength, his lower body strength. It’s impressive … He plays like Mike Tyson. He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s built that way. There’s not a lot of leaky yardage. He’s a knock-back tackler. They stop where he hits them.”
Greenlaw’s Defining Moments and Injury History
One of Greenlaw’s most memorable moments came during his rookie season in Week 17 of 2019, when he stopped a fourth-and-goal attempt by the Seattle Seahawks. This critical play at the goal line secured a 26-21 win, the NFC West title for the 49ers, and helped propel the team to Super Bowl LIV a few months later.
Throughout his career, Greenlaw has delivered consistent, sideline-to-sideline performances despite never receiving a Pro Bowl selection. Personnel executives have frequently cited him as a notable snub, and Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph has referred to him as a “Pro-Bowl-type” player.
Injuries have limited Greenlaw’s time on the field in some seasons. He saw action in only three games in 2021 and two games in 2024. The most serious injury was a torn left Achilles tendon he suffered during Super Bowl LVIII at the end of the 2023 season.
Greenlaw returned to play late in the 2024 season, logging eight tackles in 30 snaps against the Rams on December 12. However, a calf injury a week later limited him to just four snaps against Miami, leading to him being sidelined for the remainder of the year.
Contract Details and Decision to Join the Broncos
Despite salary cap constraints, the San Francisco 49ers were eager to retain Greenlaw, with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch personally visiting him in Texas to persuade him to stay. Ultimately, Greenlaw chose to sign a three-year, $31.5 million contract with Denver.
Greenlaw has been attentive to the Broncos’ defensive achievements and is motivated by their continued growth. He acknowledged Denver’s recent defensive excellence:
“One of the best defenses for quite some time now.”
He also explained his decision to join the team:
“I know last year they really took that [up a] notch, and I just wanted to be a part of that, I wanted to be where I was accepted, where I was wanted, and this is the right place for me.”
Looking Ahead: Greenlaw’s Role in Denver’s Future Defense
The addition of Dre Greenlaw aims to address the Broncos’ need for a more dominant presence in the middle of their defense, especially following vulnerabilities exposed late last season. With his combination of physicality, experience, and leadership, Greenlaw is poised to play a significant role alongside Alex Singleton in solidifying Denver’s linebacker corps.
As the Broncos continue to build on their 2024 success, this defensive upgrade forms a core part of their strategy to elevate the unit’s performance to an elite, championship-caliber level. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Dre Greenlaw’s impact translates once the 2025 season begins.